There's no better way to wrap up this mouth-watering meal than with refreshing servings of Cranberry Ice. Make this holiday meal using the simple menu planner shared below.

Cranberry Basics

With their ruby color, cranberries are a perfect staple item when cooking around the holidays. Follow these guidelines when storing and using these beautiful berries.

When stored in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerated, cranberries will remain fresh for 1 month.

To freeze cranberries, place them in a single layer on a 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan. When frozen, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 year. Freezing berries individually allows you to measure only as many as needed.

Just before using, wash the cranberries and pluck off any stems. There's no need to defrost frozen cranberries first.

Christmas Dinner Countdown

A Few Weeks Before:

Prepare two grocery lists—one for nonperishable items to purchase now and one for perishable items to purchase a few days before Christmas Day.

Order a fresh 10- to 12-pound turkey or buy and freeze a frozen turkey.

Two to Three Days Before:

Buy remaining grocery items (including the fresh turkey if you ordered one) and berries and greens for the Cranberries & Boughs Centerpiece.

Thaw frozen turkey in a pan in the refrigerator. (Allow 24 hours of thawing for every 5 pounds.)